Roger G. Spindler, crew of 1949

Since 09-11-02

 HI !!! JIM !!   Roger hear or “SPIN” as they called me in the service.  First off I have attached a copy of a certificate that was given too all members of the Diodon’s crew on supposedly its first shake down cruse. I was an Electrician Mate an spent most of my time in the battery compartments, it cost me a couple of pairs of skives. The battery acid eat them right off my butt....

The boat was the first sub too be built by the United States  from keel up as a “guppy snorkel” and I was part of the crew for its first “shake down cruse”..

I never did or could understand how the boat  SS-349 was built on the east coast, brought too the west coast without a shake down cruse. This is what we were told. I have a short story on its supposed first shake down run if interest.

I have no pictures,,,sorry.. I sure wish I did take the time too get a camera an take pictures, I kick myself over and over for not doing same.....

Date on the attached certificate is Dec. 7^th 1949.......The [Guppy Snorkle] shake down cruse started from San Diego too Acapulco Mex. and back..

P.S. Commander BELL Jr. was the best I had ever worked under...He was well liked...Sending this off and checking out the Diodon’s web page...

If I can help you out with anything Please drop me an E-mail....SPIN....